A method for handover of a user equipment in cell based networks includes: Detecting a deterioration of a predetermined connection quality for an application on the network connection path between the user equipment and the core network device via the connected base station; Providing backhaul connection information about at least one alternative base station providing at least the predetermined connection quality on its backhaul connection for the application; Blacklisting the connected base station on the user equipment; Providing a removing condition when to remove the connected base station from the blacklist; Requesting a handover of the user equipment from the connected base station to the alternative base station; Handover of the user equipment to the alternative base station if the handover request is accepted; and Handing back the user equipment to the previously connected base station if the removing condition is fulfilled.
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1. A method for handover of a user equipment in a femtocell network, the method comprising: using a user equipment and at least two base stations, each base station being assigned to a cell, coverage areas of at least two neighboring cells being at least partly overlapping, the user equipment being connected to one of the base stations, the one of the base stations being in a form of a femtocell base station, the at least two base stations each being connected via a backhaul connection to a core network device, located in a core network; a) detecting a deterioration of a predetermined connection quality by the user equipment for an application on the network connection path between the user equipment and the core network device via the connected base station; b) providing backhaul connection information about at least one alternative base station providing at least the predetermined connection quality on its backhaul connection for the application; c1) blacklisting the connected base station on the user equipment by providing a measurement report, the measurement report being modified by modified or removed information of the connected base station; c2) providing a removing condition as to when to remove the connected base station from the blacklist; d1) requesting a handover of the user equipment from the connected base station to the alternative base station; d2) handing over the user equipment to the alternative base station when a handover request according to step d1) is accepted; and e) handing back the user equipment to the previously-connected base station when the removing condition according to step c2) is fulfilled, and by deblacklisting the previously-connected base station by providing an un-modified measurement report including information about the previously-connected base station.
A method for handing over a user device (UE) in a femtocell network with overlapping cell coverage areas. The UE connects to a femtocell base station. When the UE detects a drop in connection quality for an application between the UE and the core network, the system provides backhaul connection information about alternative base stations that meet the required connection quality. The UE then blacklists the connected femtocell by modifying or removing its information from measurement reports. A condition is set for when the femtocell can be removed from the blacklist. The UE requests a handover to an alternative base station, and if accepted, the UE is handed over. Finally, when the de-blacklist condition is met, the UE is handed back to the original femtocell, and the femtocell is removed from the blacklist by providing an unmodified measurement report.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the user equipment relays the backhaul connection information of neighboring cells to its connected base station according to step b).
The handover method for a UE in a femtocell network where the UE relays backhaul connection information of neighboring cells to its currently connected base station. This information assists in determining alternative base stations for handover when connection quality deteriorates for an application between the UE and the core network. This claim extends the method described previously with this new condition.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein additionally a core network entity detects a deterioration according to step a).
The handover method for a UE in a femtocell network where, in addition to the UE, a core network entity also detects a deterioration in connection quality. This deterioration relates to an application running between the UE and the core network. This is an additional component that performs the detection function as described in the original method for identifying when a handover is required.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the core network entity performs deep packet inspection for detecting a deterioration according to step a).
The handover method where the core network entity detects connection quality deterioration using deep packet inspection (DPI). The DPI is performed on traffic related to an application between the UE and the core network and is an approach for the core network to detect the issue as described in the previous method.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider, the backhaul connection information provided by the backhaul provider being alternatively or additionally used to detect a deterioration in the provided connection quality.
The handover method where backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider. This backhaul provider information is then used, either independently or alongside other methods, to detect a deterioration in the provided connection quality for an application between the UE and a core network. This provides an alternative way to measure connection quality and determine when a handover is needed.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the removing condition according to step c2) includes application activity information and/or deblacklisting timing information and/or bearer or IP flow information.
In the handover method, the condition for removing the connected base station from the blacklist includes application activity information (e.g., if the application is no longer running), de-blacklisting timing information (e.g., a timer expires), and/or bearer or IP flow information (e.g., the specific data flow is no longer impacted). These define different scenarios to determine when the UE can reconnect to the original femtocell base station.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the connection quality includes quality of service information and/or a quality of experience information.
In the handover method, the connection quality being monitored includes Quality of Service (QoS) information and/or Quality of Experience (QoE) information. These metrics are used to detect the deterioration in connection quality, and thus instigate the handover process. These metrics are for an application between the UE and the core network.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the handover according to step d) is performed to an alternative base station having a different backhaul connection than the core network device.
The handover method involves handing over the UE to an alternative base station that has a different backhaul connection to the core network than the original base station. The original base station is a femtocell. The alternative base station may have, for example, a higher capacity or different route to the core network, thus addressing the connection quality issues.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the backhaul connection information is provided by each of the base stations and exchanged between different neighboring base stations.
In the handover method, the backhaul connection information is provided by each base station in the network and is exchanged between neighboring base stations. This exchange of backhaul connection data enhances awareness of the network's capabilities for better handover decisions. This would be used to determine alternatives when a degradation occurs in the connection to the UE.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the backhaul connection information is exchanged via an X2-like interface between the base stations and/or via a database storing backhaul connection information of the different base stations and/or via a report transmitted to the connected base station, wherein the user equipment adds the backhaul connection information to the request.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving backhaul connection management between base stations and user equipment. The problem addressed is the lack of efficient mechanisms for exchanging backhaul connection information, which can lead to suboptimal routing decisions and degraded network performance. The method involves exchanging backhaul connection information between base stations and user equipment to optimize data transmission paths. This information can be shared via an X2-like interface, a centralized database storing backhaul details of multiple base stations, or through reports sent to the connected base station. The user equipment incorporates this backhaul information into its communication requests, enabling the network to make informed decisions about routing data. The X2-like interface allows direct communication between base stations to share backhaul status, capacity, and other relevant details. The centralized database serves as a repository where base stations can store and retrieve backhaul information, ensuring all nodes have access to up-to-date data. Alternatively, user equipment can report backhaul details to the connected base station, which then uses this information to optimize connections. By providing multiple pathways for exchanging backhaul information, the invention ensures flexibility and reliability in network operations. This approach enhances data routing efficiency, reduces latency, and improves overall network performance by enabling dynamic adaptation to backhaul conditions.
11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein step c) is performed for all base stations having the same backhaul connection as the connected base station.
The handover method includes blacklisting all base stations that share the same backhaul connection as the connected base station when connection quality deteriorates for an application between the UE and the core network. This ensures that the UE is handed over to a base station with a different backhaul connection, which is needed because the backhaul link itself is problematic.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the connected base station is provided in a form of a relay node, the relay node being connected to the at least one alternative base station.
In the handover method, the connected base station is a relay node connected to at least one alternative base station. The relay node is the femtocell where the UE experiences connectivity issues. This alternative node would not necessarily have a different backhaul connection but could offer an improved signal.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step c) is performed by removing the connected base station from a measurement report transmitted to the connected base station.
In the handover method, the connected base station is blacklisted by removing it from a measurement report transmitted to the connected base station. This means the UE won't consider it for handover unless the de-blacklisting process takes place, after which the base station is added back into the reports.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a core network entity obtains the backhaul connection information by observing a source Internet Protocol (IP) address of an Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)-tunnel between a base station and the core network entity, wherein the core network entity is provided in a form of a femtocell gateway.
In the handover method, a core network entity (femtocell gateway) obtains backhaul connection information by observing the source Internet Protocol (IP) address of an Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) tunnel between a base station and the core network entity. This IP address is associated with backhaul network properties and provides a way to monitor connection quality.
15. A system for handover of the user equipment in the femtocell network, the system configured to perform the method according to claim 1 , the system comprising: the user equipment; and the at least two base stations, each base station being assigned to the cell, the coverage areas of the at least two neighboring cells being at least partly overlapping, the user equipment being connected to the one of the base stations in the form of the femtocell base station, the at least two base stations each being connected via the backhaul connection to the core network device, located in the core network, wherein the user equipment includes one or more processors configured to detect the deterioration of the provided connection quality compared to the predetermined connection quality for the application in the backhaul connection on the network connection path between the user equipment and the core network device via the connected base station, to provide backhaul connection information about the at least one alternative base station providing at least the predetermined connection quality on its backhaul connection for the application, to blacklist the connected base station on the user equipment by providing a measurement report, the measurement report being modified by modified or removed information of the connected base station, to provide the condition as to when to de-blacklist the connected base station from the blacklist, and to remove the previously-connected base station by providing an un-modified measurement report including information about the previously-connected base station, and to request the handover, to handover the user equipment from the connected base station to the alternative base station when a requested handover is accepted, and to handback the user equipment to the previously-connected base station.
A system designed for handing over a user device (UE) in a femtocell network with overlapping cell coverage areas. The system includes the UE and at least two base stations (one of which is a femtocell). The UE's processor(s) detect connection quality degradation compared to predetermined levels for an application. They provide backhaul connection information about suitable alternative base stations, blacklist the current femtocell by modifying measurement reports, define conditions for removing the femtocell from the blacklist, and request a handover. The UE is handed over to the alternative base station upon acceptance. When the de-blacklisting condition is met, the UE is handed back to the original femtocell via an unmodified measurement report.
16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the connected base station is provided in a form of a relay station of the alternative base station.
The handover system is where the connected base station is a relay station of the alternative base station. This system builds upon the previous system and states that the femtocell base station, where the connectivity issue occurred, is acting as a relay for another base station.
17. The method according to claim 2 , wherein a core network entity and/or the user equipment detects a deterioration according to step a).
The handover method where a core network entity and/or the UE relays backhaul connection information of neighboring cells to its currently connected base station. In addition, either the core network or the UE detects a deterioration in connection quality. This extends the claim about UE relay with the possibility of the core network entity also performing detection.
18. The method according to claim 2 , wherein backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider, the backhaul connection information provided by the backhaul provider being alternatively or additionally used to detect a deterioration in the provided connection quality.
The handover method where the UE relays backhaul connection information of neighboring cells to its currently connected base station and backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider, and this information is used to detect a deterioration in connection quality.
19. The method according to claim 3 , wherein backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider, the backhaul connection information provided by the backhaul provider being alternatively or additionally used to detect a deterioration in the provided connection quality.
The handover method where, in addition to the UE, a core network entity also detects a deterioration in connection quality. Furthermore, backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider to assist with the detection.
20. The method according to claim 4 , wherein backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider, the backhaul connection information provided by the backhaul provider being alternatively or additionally used to detect a deterioration in the provided connection quality.
The handover method where, the core network entity detects connection quality deterioration using deep packet inspection (DPI). Moreover, backhaul connection information is provided by a backhaul provider, and this information is used to detect a deterioration in connection quality.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 15, 2012
June 6, 2017
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